keeping up with the intentional closet

BTW I’ve added a Travel link to the top menu with a separate page for all my travel posts. I’m looking forward to taking and writing about new adventures very soon! I wonder if I’ll need some new gear …

In 2014, I offloaded bags and bags of clothes I felt meh about and tried a capsule wardrobe.  Eight years later, I no longer focus on a defined number of items but the closets stay airy by: 1) choosing quality over quantity when buying new items, 2) thinking about what brands and stores I want to support, 3) buying used clothes, and 4) donating frequently.

The list of new clothing and wearable gear for my reporting year* shows my … particular shopping style:

• Rain jacket (Patagonia).  Patagonia is an outdoor gear company with a long-standing focus on the environment and fair-trade.  This replaces an Arc’teryx jacket that went on a lot of adventures with me (I will keep it for muddy bike rides). 
• Hiking/Biking pants (Patagonia).  2 pairs, same model, different coloUrs.
• Sports bras (Patagonia).  2, same model, different coloUrs.
• Hiking/Biking shorts (Columbia).  2 pairs, same model, different coloUrs.  I now have 3 pairs (and I’d worn out 2 previous pairs).  I couldn’t find any other brand making the longer style I like and I jumped when these went on sale.
• Sneakers (Altra).  My 6th pair. Happy feet.
• Ball cap (Buff).  Last year, I finally found a comfortable ball cap (that I wore all summer).  This year I bought a second one in a different coloUr. 
• Shoes.  OK, this was my only spontaneous purchase.  After a bike ride on the South Shore, a friend and I went to a well-known shoe store there.  I was not expecting to buy anything but walked out with two pairs (astounding certain members of my family).  They are both the same brand and made of recycled fiber.  The slip-ons are my go-to footwear this summer.  Oh, I should clarify these shoes are basically just dressy sneakers.
• Socks (3 pairs).
• Biking specific: chamois shorts, gloves, visored hat (Buff) for under my helmet.
• Winter hiking cleats (same brand, Kahtoola, as my microspikes).
• Watch.  A retro Casio digital for $35.  Gets the job done and won’t hurt if I lose it while hiking/biking/snowshoeing.
• Backpack (Gregory).  This replaced my beloved REI daypack that I bought for my first hiking trip to the Grand Canyon in 2008.  That REI pack ended up being a perfect pack, comfortable and with pockets in all the right places.  Well used and losing functionality, it was donated rather than sitting at the back of the closet for sentimental reasons (instead, I can look at pictures of it in its glory days on hiking trails throughout AZ, CA, NM, UT, WA, WY, etc.).

I was missing button-down shirts like I favoUred for work, so I turned to the many used clothing stores here.  I also like getting fitness tops at these places.  I quickly donate what doesn’t work out—that way, I only spend $5 to find out if I don’t like the texture/fit when exercising.

No surprise, my new items were all outdoor / fitness related.  The cost fit my budget thanks to generous birthday and Christmas gifts.  Oh, I was also gifted clothes at Christmas that included my second pair of LL Bean insulated mitts (yup, same model, different coloUr).

*Reporting period for the SLSR clothing budget is July to June.

References and related links:

• SLSR: simpler living semi-retirement.
• REI: Recreational Equipment, Inc.
• offset (post #168)